UK wants continued security partnership with EU after Brexit: Fallon

Michael Fallon, Britain's Secretary of State for Defence, arrives at a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, September 12, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

British Secretary of Defense Michael Fallon says that his country seeks a continued security partnership with Europe after Brexit.

“At a time of increased threats and international instability the UK remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold European security,” Fallon said in a statement on Tuesday.

He also said officials had set out proposals on how British armed forces would continue to work with Europe on security once the country leaves the bloc.

“With the largest defense budget in Europe, the largest Navy, British troops and planes deployed across land, air and sea in Europe, our role in the continent’s defense has never been more vital,” Fallon added.

London is expected to announce its intentions to contribute military assets to the EU in its sixth “future partnership paper,” part of efforts to counter criticism by EU officials that it is not prepared for negotiations to unravel more than 40 years of union.

Meanwhile, the Brexit minister has announced that Prime Minister Theresa May has accepted an invitation by the EU parliament to address the legislature.

“After we leave the European Union we will continue to face shared threats to our security, our shared values and our way of life,” David Davis said.

“It’s in our mutual interest to work closely with the EU and its member states to challenge terrorism and extremism, illegal migration, cyber-crime, and conventional state-based military aggression,” Davis added.

During the session, May is expected to address lawmakers and hold a debate on the rights of EU citizens, a divorce bill and the future of the Northern Ireland border. EU officials have been complaining that the British side has been weaseling out of its obligations, failing to address three key points in previous Brexit talks.

On Monday, MPs passed the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill by 326 votes to 290, giving the Conservative government a majority of 36 and paving the way for greater powers to be handed to government ministers.

Nearly 52 percent of Britons opted to leave the bloc during the EU referendum in June last year. The United Kingdom formally triggered the Brexit process on March 29 and divorce negotiations officially began on June 19.